Driving Fast is Not Speed Racing, Duh

Driving, probably one of the most relaxing things, in my own opinion. A nice drive going on a road trip somewhere always seems to bring some type of enjoyment for me. This spring break, I actually drove down to the Florida Keys to escape the stress of West Lafayette. I enjoyed the drive, my shift was the 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. shift. During the Night drive, much of the road seemed to be as populated as a ghost town. Being a person who gets enjoyment out of driving, naturally I was speeding a little bit. I mean, who wouldn’t want to get to their destination a little faster, and its not like I was driving reckless.

Speeding, seen as such a harmful things by the cops, but in all reality what’s the big deal? I mean, driving 75-85 on the highway, what’s wrong with that. In Europe people can travel up the maximum speed allowed by their car on the autobahn, usually though people travel going around 160. Its not like speeding is the leading cause of fatally, nor is even a top ranking killer. Crack kills, speeding doesn’t, but why do the officers act like we are hardened criminals when we speed?

A news article caught my eye today and was pretty amusing to me. Thursday, on Highway 18 in Oregon, a group of cars past a cop doing 100 mph in a 55. The group of cars consisted of Ferraris, a Lamborghini and an Acura NSX all participating in a road trip. After the officer clocked the drivers in the convoy, the officer decided he would be an amazing upholder of the law, and pull them over. After pulling out, the sixth car passed him like he was standing still. Fortunately for the officer, all of the cars pulled over simultaneously after being signaled by our lovely patrol man.

After talking to all of the drivers, the officer cited them for speed racing, which is a ticket that results in a $627 fine. Not to insult the officers intelligence, but that isn’t speed racing. A bunch of cars all traveling the same speed in a single line is driving, over the speed limit, (maybe even re-named reckless driving depending on the amount over the limit). I don’t know where the officer got the idea that they were speed racing, as it requires an opponent, usually done when there are two cars in two or more lanes and side by side each other.

I just don’t get the big deal about speeding, especially in Indiana. Since my time began here, I have ran into nothing but people driving five UNDER the speed limit. I was also previously pulled over on 52, and upon being pulled over, I was approached by the officer with his gun half way drawn. Are you serious? Doing 60 in a 55, and your gonna be prepared to draw your gun? Sorry if you were gonna be shot, the person wouldn’t wait till your camera has my license plate and I am stopped. So next time your speeding, watch out for the boys in blue wasting time not solving real crime and earning additional income for their city.

Interrogation Methods saves lives, Obama does not

Everyday, we wake up, do our thing and then go back to bed. We live our lives in a fear free state. We don’t worry about being blown up, shot at, or attacked. Our lives are protected by our great nation. We have the freedom to do so many things, and our country protects this freedom and keeps us safe. Even though we are in the middle of an ongoing conflict in the Middle East, we have been kept safe by our country and the men who fight for our freedom. 

Throughout the past few years, in particular, the years after September 11, 2001, information regarding terrorist activity and plots against the US have come to the ears of those in the CIA. Our country has apprehended many terrorists in hiding within the border of the US. The techniques that our CIA operatives have used have been proven to be effective in guaranteeing our safety as well as the safety of our nation. However, our beloved President has done it again. Mr. Obama released CIA memos that outline procedures used for interrogation methods. Much of this was confidential information that could be valuable in the hands of those who wish to do us harm. 

Many ex-CIA directors have disagreed with the release of this confidential information saying that it compromises the safety of our country. Much of the information in the memos pertained to techniques used to gain valuable information from terrorists we have apprehended. Such techniques included in the memo were things such as waterboarding, sleep deprivation, and slapping. All of which do not cause severe harm to the subject nor are they found to be illegal by international torture laws. 

Waterboarding consists of simulating a near death type feeling on the subject. Even thought the subject is not harm, by placing a cloth over their face and pouring water over it, breathing becomes very difficult and the feel like their are drowning. This was very successful in getting subjects to “crack” and pass on the information requested by the detaining officer. Depriving the subjects of sleep also helped to crack the person into revealing information. Many critics say that these are morally wrong and do not help to protect our safety. If these techniques are so morally wrong and disagreed with upon a wide scale, then why are our special forces trained to withstand waterboarding and sleep deprivation? Do you think other counties capture people and politely ask them for information?  These are techniques that are used across the board, this is the least that our soldiers should be worried about. But the Liberals on capital hill say its bad.

If you think that these techniques are immoral, the ones that have gained us valuable information to stop further terrorist threats, then you have your priorities mixed up. The safety of our country should surpass your feelings about treating a terrorist with care. Maybe Obama will start to invite terrorists over for tea. How about a cookie Mr. terrorist and tell me what your plans are with this big bomb. 

Even better, now left nut Liberals want to pursue the people that wrote the memos for the interrogation methods used in obtaining information. There is a reason that we haven’t had a mass terrorist attack on our country since 9/11. There are people that do what they need to do to keep our country safe. They do it within the guidelines of the law and do not cause severe physical harm to detainees. Then, the bowing Obama decides we are not going to have this because we are on a moral compass. Then says hey everyone, we don’ t hurt terrorist. George Bush may not have been the smartest, but at least he wasn’t a coward when it came to keeping us all safe. 

Craigslist Sells Sex?

What have we come to this day and age. I once remembered when Craigslist was a vital tool in locating cars and parts and similar for sale items. Now, we have found it entertaining to post erotic services on craigslist, yes erotic services. Craigslist has been on thin ice for a while now as people have used its services as a cover for prostitution and sex rings for sometime now. However, with all of this prostitution going through, I think the violence is now starting to follow the path of these illegal activities. I mean, who would have even thought to use craigslist as a prostitution cover.

Many people have used its services tab to sell companionships or massages. When in all reality the only massages these people are giving out are on you sex organs. Forget the back pain, straight to the genitals for these erotic service sellers. Many also post on there information saying that any money paid is for time spent hanging out and any sexual activity is between mutually consenting adults. Some are even more blunt and just say the prices for their services and say police do not respond to this ad. I don’t think that would be a very successful method but hey give it a shot if thats what your into. Personally I am not into being led into a trap where some prostitute’s midget pimp pistol whips you and steals your cash.

What happen to the good old days of match.com or the sites that say they are for dating but are just for people who want to hook up. Why risk getting caught by the cops for soliciting an illegal prostitute or getting mugged and stuff. This is exactly what happened to one “massage therapist”. Julissa Brisman, was a recent victim of this craigslist violence. Soliciting her “massaging skills” she got connected with a man who set up a time and date. Upon meeting her on that day, it appeared that it was an attempt in robbery by the man. Then a struggle appears to be evident, which ultimately ended up in Julissa obtaining multiple gunshot wounds. These gunshot wounds would be the cause of her demise as she pasted away on the journey to the hospital.

This just goes to show you the extent that our society will go to make a few bucks and market to the horny. When things like this are done, violence seems to follow seeing as many prostitutes are woman and are seen as vulnerable to crime. If you were soliciting some 6’ 5” person that packed a gun and was an ex navy seal or something, I don’t think many would try to rob that prostitute. However, I think that our society sees women as vulnerable subjects and exploit their weaknesses when they put themselves out in situations like this.

This particularly relates to our generation and we as college students because frankly people need to be more careful. That person that you met at the party might not turn out to the be the sweetheart that they appeared to be. When mixing alcohol and social interactions, the more vulnerable people need to be aware that they are at risk and socialize responsibly. Cause you never know who may be taken from this earth from occurrences such as this. The person to create world peace may not be around because someone seen them as a vulnerable target for their benefit.

The President Does NOT Bow

Obama Bowing to Saudi King Abdullah

The G-20 Summit was a meeting for the 19 of the worlds economic leaders as well as the European Union. We all know that they have recently met this month to discuss some strategy as well as plan for the up-turn of our financial positions. Many intelligent and financially literate people meet there to help plan and resolve the situation that we are in. However, it was a just a meeting,but drama was still exposed. Our fabulous President Obama has done it again by amazing the people of the United States. Meeting many national leaders at the G-20 Summit, most everyone is a peer. Obama shook the hands of Queen Elizabeth as well as many other national figures. Then, Mr. Obama does it again, when greeting the Saudi King Abdullah, Obama bows down past the Kings shoulder. However, I guess nobody else there was worth bowing down to.

Never ever does the President of America bow to another international figure, much less anyone else. This is a symbol of weakness of our nation and could potentially increase our risk for more terrorist attacks. This bow signified that the Saudi King has more power over the leader of the most powerful country on the world. This also gives ways to one of the many rumors that was flying around during the election time, that Mr. Obama is Muslim. Don’t get me wrong there is nothing wrong with being Muslim or any other religion. It is that fact that Mr. Obama thinks that he can lie to the American people saying that he has no ties or relations with Muslims.

However, how can one say that when he clearly bows to a the leader of Saudi Arabia. He is showing the Muslim world that he has less power than the King of Saudi Arabia. If he had no connection with Muslim religion or wasn’t Muslim himself, why would he bow to one of the most powerful Muslim leaders and nobody else. I mean, its pretty good that we haven’t caught Osama Bin Laden yet, who knows what could happen in that greeting with Obama, maybe even a kiss on the foot?

Have we not trained our baby boy Obama that in the big leagues of politics, Presidents do not bow? Even better, in a statement made by white house officials, “It wasn’t a bow. He grasped his hand with two hands, and he’s taller than King Abdullah,” Haha, my ass, his left hand is clearly visible on his left knee. They would have had a better chance saying that he was ducking in the event should a shoe become airborne!

Let us hope that this damage is reparable, and that we are not seen as a weak nation in the eyes of terrorism. And may our President become aware that we do not bow down to other as it signifies a weakness, this is completely unacceptable for one of the most powerful nations in the world.

However, once again, in the time of “Change” another political Dee-dee-dee has been committed and I look forward to many more. Like Mrs. Obama wearing a cardigan to meet Queen Elizabeth in Buckingham Palace. Maybe for a college kid touring Europe thats cool, but not for the First Lady. So cheers to the “Change” we hear from Obama, even though I think all this “Change” refers to his beliefs!

Ugh Writers blog

Hello everyone, today’s post will be a little bit different that the traditional posts. Recently I have been having an extreme case of writers block, words have been dryer that the Sahara. I am not sure if it is because I have been stressed with classes and work or what the deal is. It could be that nothing really exciting is existing in the world of news today. Whatever it is, I apologize for the decrease in interesting news over the past week and a half.

Today, I left school to go home for the holiday weekend. It was a relatively long drive, and kind of boring. I had a relatively large headache which contributed to a decline in the enjoyment of my ride home as well. However, on my way home, I talked to my dad who is a fireman in a city where near I live and he told me some interesting news.

Today, in Dearborn at a community college, there was a homicide-suicide that occurred on campus. A 28 year old man was involved as well as a 20 year old woman. In a usually non-violent area, it is clear that this was unexpected. The two were found in a classroom in a Michigan community college. Not much was really known about the whole incident seeing as both people involved are dead. The main information available is that it occurred in an used classroom and a shotgun was used in the shooting.

There is still much investigation to undergo before the final results could be determined, but the area has been secured and the emergency alerts have been sent out to the students. Officials as well as many others have sent out their deepest sympathies to the family of the girl who is believed to have her life taken from her today.

I thought this was a pretty sad incident. It just reminds us that things that we take for granted everyday can disappear with just a flutter of a butterfly’s wings. Hopefully the family can find hope in the mist of all this negativity and that people will learn to appreciate what they have in their lives.

Sexting?? Say What?

Texting, this day and age is a very familiar part of every teens vocabulary. They may not know what is going on in the world or what the derivative of a function is, but they know about texting. As the younger and emerging generation, we have had a mainstream change in communication. Rather than allocating our efforts to communicate via voice to voice, we have chosen text to text. Many people have began to use texting as a channel to communicate because of the capability to do it in an environment that would limit traditional voice to voice communication via telephone. These such environments would include places like school, the workplace, and restaurants.

This rapid increase in the use of texting for communication has caused an increase in the technology for it. Texts can zoom across the airways in seconds without much delay, much like instant messaging on the computer. They have also paved the way for digital communication with things such as movies, pictures and even voice recordings. Many teens send pics back and forth to their friends of things such as a goofy face, to a beautiful landscape in the Caribbean. However, there is a much darker side to texting than one would normally think of. The very appropriate term sexting has become a very popular things among many teens. Sexting is the transmission of nude pictures via texting. Sending between couples or maybe friends that are closer than friends, may not seem like a problem. However, younger generations are finding out that it is much for than a picture. If anyone in the picture is underage, it is the transmission and possession of child pornography.

Many teens have found out the hard way that this can land them a spot right on the sexual offenders list, next to Chester the Molester. “But is was only a picture of my girlfriend...” Many teens are shocked by the consequences dealt out by judges all over the US. The sexting crackdown is coming down hard. If you are underage, and take a nude picture, your significant other, or anyone really takes the picture, it is considered child pornography. The person who took the picture as well as anyone that receives it could be in danger of being prosecuted if discovered.

With having the freedom of privacy, many do go undiscovered. It is when the brain of a teenager breaks down from logic and acts on impulse, do many of these crimes come to the attention of officials. Many times the couple has an argument, and one of the hot headed partners sends the picture to his or her friends. Then, once received by others, it comes to the attention of authorities. The accused is brought up on sending child pornography as well as possessing it. These types of cases are tried in many states as child-pornography. Thus, landing them a spot on the sexual offenders list where their time on that list can vary.

Most teens, unaware of the consequences participate in this activity, thinking its like seeing them naked in person. Many are oblivious to the true definition behind their nude pictures they posses. The truth is, anyone photographed in the nude underage is considered child pornography. Even if the one partner is 18 and the other is 16, this close age gap doesn’t seem like a lot, but in terms of the law it is.

Beer Pong

The game of the ages, played by many people of all shapes and sizes. As we come to together in unity, armed with cups and beer, the games begin. Beer Pong is the universal party game across all of the nations when it comes to college drinking games. A combination of a bowling type organization with some ping pong skills/hand eye coordination, the game is played with one person to two person teams. Each trying to eliminate the the other persons cups, with cut throat competition. Let the game begin!

Traditionally, beer pong is known as Beirut, but referred to as beer pong among many college students. One would start this game by taking 10 cups, placing them in a christmas tree type order, or that similar to bowling pin order. placing 4, then 3, then 2, then 1. These cups are then neatly placed on a table that measures the regulation length of 8 feet by 2 feet. These regulation sized tables can be customized to the users preference. Many choose to put their school’s logo on it or some design with a personal meaning to it. They can also range from straight wood tables to plastic topped or even ones that light up.

Next, the teams each fill up their cups about 2 and a half inches of beer per cup. This roughly estimates to two beer per ten cups. Some prefer to use more or less depending on the tolerance level of both teams competing and whether this a an informal game or competition level beer pong game. Next the competition begins. First one player from each team looks one another in the eye, while counting to three, then throws. The one to make the ball in the cup without looking at it makes the first throw.

When the first team to throw goes, each member of their two person team throws a ball. Members of the defending team may use a distraction technique as long as they don’t interfere with the path of the ball. If the tossing team makes both of their shots, they get “balls back” which simply states that they are the tossing team again. If your team happens to knock over your own cup by mistake, it is a party foul. You can either drink the rest of that cup, or drink another from your inventory, depending on house rules.

Some of the other rules that can apply are things such as bounces. A team may bounce a ball in order to locate it within the interior of the cup, however the defending team has the ability to swat the ball away from the path of the cup. This would be a defensive technique that is allowed. There are many other house rules that may apply depending on each house that the game is played in.

The main goal of beer pong is to create a social atmosphere that beer lovers can unite in a form of competition to social network as well as consume their beverage of choice, beer. It is found across many college campuses as well as the homes of young adults. Many continue to support the game even if oppressed by universities.